Women’s Health and Occupational Therapy – Pelvic Health and Maternal Mental Health

This three-part workshop addresses two major areas in the exploding area of Women’s Health in Occupational Therapy – Pelvic Health and Maternal Mental Health.

Part 1: Foundational Skills in Pelvic Health for Everyday Practice

Urine leakage? Pelvic pain? Pelvic Organ Prolapse? Despite estimates that approximately 50 to 75% of women experience some form of pelvic health issue in their lifetime. Very few people are aware that there is evidence-based therapy to alleviate these issues in both men and women.

This workshop will address how clinicians in any area of practice can make a positive impact in their client’s life through screening for pelvic floor dysfunction, simple strategies to improve their pelvic health and prevent future issues, and when and how to refer clients that require assistance from a pelvic health specialist. This will be addressed in a way which emphasizes the skills and holistic perspective occupational therapists already possess. We will also briefly address the steps towards becoming a pelvic health practitioner. If you work with clients that have a pelvic floor, you would benefit from this interactive workshop!

Part 2: Maternal Mental Health and the Role of OT

This workshop will inform clinicians of the state of mental health and wellness in pregnancy through the birthing process and into the time known as the fourth trimester (postpartum). The impact of maternal mental health has multiple implications such as the ripple effect of the mother’s health throughout the lifespan in addition to the development of the child(ren) while in utero, through the birthing experience and into the early developmental stages. The ability to have a positive effect on multiple lives from a neurodevelopmental perspective throughout multiple lives lifespans, simply through improved maternal mental health, bodes an amazing return on investment for the health of the individuals and a decreased burden to the health care system as a whole.

We will discuss screening and simple intervention strategies that are realistic for women in this stage of life and that are easily implemented by the clinician in a supportive manner. This is information that will assist women to engage in motherhood in an informed, supported and evidence-based manner where they can better identify and address their mental wellness throughout the maternal journey.

Part 3: Case Study and Integrated Synthesis of Parts 1 & 2

We cannot continue to work in silos. Every clinician has a role to play in both pelvic health and maternal mental health. This short section will highlight how we can look at and work with a client to address the person as a whole, which is an area of strength in occupational therapy as a profession.

For workshop objectives, click HERE.

About the presenters: Lindsey Kaupp MScOT, BScKin and Lara Desrosiers, OT

Lindsey Kaupp is an Occupational Therapist residing in Ponoka, AB where she owns and operates E-Motion Therapy, a private practice working with women with pelvic floor dysfunction and maternal wellness. Lindsey discovered a large gap in services for women at all stages of life, living with pelvic health issues and/or perinatal mental health issues, through her own experiences in the pregnancy and birth of her daughters Jessica and Kara. E-Motion Therapy opened its brick and mortar location in Ponoka in October 2017 and strives to achieve its mission of enabling women to gain control of their pelvic health so that they may live their daily lives with confidence and joy. In addition to presentations at mom’s groups, fitness groups and the University of Alberta Professional Development Committee Conference 2018, Lindsey is excited to tackle the role of co-lead presenter of a presentation titled ‘Women’s Health and Occupational Therapy: A Natural Fit’ at the 2018 CAOT conference in Vancouver in June. Lindsey’s previous areas of practice include rural generalist, and acute psychosocial rehabilitation in mental health.

Lara Desrosiers has worked as an Occupational Therapist in community mental health programs in Ontario, Canada since 2009. Lara became passionate about pelvic health and maternal wellness while navigating her own journey to motherhood and experiencing a myriad of core and pelvic health issues. During her own recovery, Lara became a hoarder of clinical courses and knowledge about pelvic health, women’s health, and maternal wellness and driven to use her skills as an Occupational Therapist to raise awareness about pelvic health, promote maternal wellness and to help others struggling with symptoms of core dysfunction to find their unique path to healing. Lara launched a private practice, Pelvic Resilience, in October, 2017 in Ontario and has found a unique niche working collaboratively with Pelvic Health Physiotherapists to support individuals who are struggling with the psychosocial impact of their pelvic health challenges.

The workshop includes morning and afternoon refreshments and snacks. Certificates of attendance will be issued to all participants. Please note that lunch is on your own.